MICROEXPRESSIONS

Savipra Gorospe, CHt, RPm

MICRO EXPRESSIONS

• Micro expressions are very brief facial expressions, lasting only a fraction of a second. They occur when a person either deliberately or consciously conceals a feeling. Seven emotions have universal signals: anger, fear, sadness, disgust, contempt, surprise, and happiness. You can learn to spot them.

HISTORY• Haggard and Isaacs were the first to describe micro expressions

(calling them “micro momentary expressions”) in their study of psychotherapeutic interviews. • They explained the appearance of “micros” as the result of

repression; the patient did not know how he or she was feeling. • Haggard and Isaacs also implied that these fleeting expressions

could not be recognized in real time, but Ekman and Friesen later showed that, with training, anyone could learn to see “micros” when they occurred. Ekman and Friesen also broadened the explanation of why micros occur.

HISTORY

• Micro expressions happen when people have hidden their feelings from themselves (repression) or when they deliberately try to conceal their feelings from others. • Importantly, both instances look the same; you cannot tell

from the expression itself whether it is the product of suppression (deliberate concealment) or repression (unconscious concealment).

TYPES

• Macro: normal expressions usually last between ½ second and 4 seconds. They often repeat, and fit with what is said and the sound of the person’s voice.• Micro: These are very brief, usually lasting between 1/15 and 1/25 of

a second. They often display a concealed emotion and are the result of suppression or repression.• False: A deliberately-made stimulation of an emotion not being felt.• Masked: A false expression made to cover a macro expression.

WHY ARE MICRO EXPRESSIONS IMPORTANT?

Learning to spot micro expressions can help you:• Improve your emotional

intelligence• Develop your capacity for

empathy• Spot Concealed Emotions

• Improve your relationships

• Understand others• Recognize and better manage

your own emotions• Develop Social Skills

HOW CAN YOU LEARN MICRO EXPRESSIONS?

• There are many resources to help you learn to spot micro expressions. • Paul Ekman has developed scientifically-proven training tools:• Micro Expression Training Tool (METT)• Subtle Expression Training Tool (SETT)

THE SEVEN UNIVERSAL FACIAL

EXPRESSIONS

ANGEREyes: The eyes show an intense look, with or without white under the eyes. The upper and lower eyelids are tight.They eyebrows are low and can bind together. Mouth: The jaws and lips are pressed together.  The lower lip may be somewhat bigger as it is pressed.  The mouth is narrow.Body: Body temperature and heart rate are rising.

CONTEMPTMouth: Half of the upper lip is tightened up.  To make this half-smile of contempt, we use the risorius muscle.  While we share many physiological characteristics with primates, this small, flat muscle is not one of them.  It is located in the cheek, next to the lips.Head: It is often slightly tilted back.  Contempt is often accompanied by a sense of superiority

DISGUSTNose: Wrinkles appear on and around the nose.Mouth: The upper lip rises and the lower lip can be off-axis.The teeth can be visible, but not always.

FEAREyes: They become  bigger and rounder.The upper eyelids are raised, as in the expression of surprise, but the eyebrows are close and may even touch.Mouth: The lips are stretched horizontally.  They can be open or closed.Body:  Body temperature declines while the heart rate rises.Attitude: A person who feels fear will tend to flee or at least stop what they are doing.

HAPPINESSEyes: The eyelids are tightened and wrinkles appear in the corners of the eyes, also known as crow's feet.The eyebrows are drawn down.Mouth: We recognize joy in the smile.  The mouth can be open or closed.The cheeks are raised.

SADNESSEyes: They seem empty.  It is also possible to observe a contraction of the pupils.The eyelids droop.The eyebrows descend to the inside corners.  They can even bind in the case of an extremely strong sadness.Mouth: The corners of the lips are facing down.The lower lip can be transformed into a pout.Body: The body temperature rises.  The heart rate is faster than in the expression of disgust.

SURPRISEEyes: They seem empty.  It is also possible to observe a contraction of the pupils.The eyelids droop.The eyebrows descend to the inside corners.  They can even bind in the case of an extremely strong sadness.Mouth: The corners of the lips are facing down.The lower lip can be transformed into a pout.Body: The body temperature rises.  The heart rate is faster than in the expression of disgust.

REFERENCES• Ekman, P.

Darwins-Compassionate-View-Of-Human-Nature-2010JAMA February 10, 2010. Vol. 303 (6): 557-558

• Ekman, P. (2009)Become-Versed-in-reading-facesEntrepreneur, 26 March 2009.

• Ekman, P.Lie Catching and MicroexpressionsThe Philosophy of Deception, Ed. Clancy Martin, Oxford University Press, 2009

• Frank, M.G., Matsumoto, D., Ekman, P. Sinuk, K., Kurylo, A. (2008)Improving the Ability to recognize Microexpressions of EmotionIn review